Condoms for all shapes and sizes

By PAULA OLIVER

Pharmac, the Government drug-buying agency, has discovered that size really does matter - so does dryness, breakage and a close fit.

A wider range of subsidised condoms may soon be available as a result of a public consultation exercise.

Governments have paid for condoms for years, but the agency's consultation showed users want choice.

Pharmac's medical director, Dr Peter Moodie, said yesterday that size was the main issue raised - even naming the various dimensions was important.

"The sensitivity of this subject expands to how you describe size ... Small, medium and whopping may not be acceptable, whereas regular, large and something else may be. We didn't realise how complex the whole thing would be."

There was also a desire for more extra-strength options - now there is only one on the Pharmac list of 11.

A non-latex condom for those with a latex allergy was also wanted, as were a choice of spermicide and non-spermicide and even flavour, but Dr Moodie said a line needed to be drawn somewhere.

It was important that condoms be fully subsidised. "A lot of people can't afford them in any quantity."

And if they were not appealing, he said, they would not be used.

"We have to get the balance between what is sensible and what is being silly. While it can generate a lot of humour, the reality is that the social cost of not using condoms is very great with both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases."

After consulting the Family Planning Association and other groups, Pharmac thinks it has found the hitches that discourage use.

It has decided to no longer simply invite tenders for "standard condoms" from suppliers.

Pharmac will ask pharmaceutical companies for proposals shortly.

If one has a range that adequately covers what Pharmac wants, Dr Moodie says that single company may be the chosen supplier.

About 7.6 million condoms are prescribed each year, costing $1.2 million.